Garden Grove police officer-involved shooting in Seal Beach probed

Police are investigating the shooting death of an armed domestic violence suspect by Garden Grove police Saturday in Seal Beach.

The man, whose name was being withheld, was fatally shot as he tried to steal a car from a man pumping gasoline at a Chevron station at 2950 Westminster Ave. at about 5:25 p.m., Garden Grove police Lt. Jeff Nightengale said.

It was unclear what kind of weapon the man had, but police said one was recovered.

The deadly encounter started with police being sent at 4:28 p.m. to an address in the 5900 block of Huntley Avenue in Garden Grove on a report of a man violating a domestic violence restraining order.

"The order is related to history of domestic violence between the suspect and victim," Nightengale said, adding that the victim and suspect had been dating for several years. "While officers were speaking with the victim, another officer saw the suspect driving in a vehicle near the victim's home."

A pursuit was begun, but police soon lost sight of the suspect's vehicle, he said.

"The suspect drove into the parking lot of the Hampton Inn, which is located near the intersection of Seal Beach Boulevard and Westminster Avenue," Nightengale said. "The suspect fled on foot from the parking lot and ran to the Chevron gas station."

Nightengale said the suspect tried to carjack a man at the gas pumps.

"An officer from the Garden Grove Police Department intervened," Nightengale said. "The intervention led to an officer-involved shooting."